Have you ever wanted to capture a certain landmark only to be disappointed by the outcome? I had one of those moments when visiting the Taj Mahal. I had spent months planning the trip and getting my Taj outfit ready so imagine my chagrin when we got inside the Taj complex to discover the unsightly scaffolding around the minarets. To rub salt in the wound, the reflecting pools were drained!
Our guide said the water had been drained the day before for cleaning and hadn’t been refilled. The scaffolding on the minarets was also due to cleaning. I did feel slightly better knowing that Will and Kate also had the scaffolding in their official photos when they visited the Taj a few weeks after me!
But sometimes you have to embrace the moment and go with it. This will add visual interest to your photos and make the visit all the more memorable.
Here are 10 Taj Mahal photography tips for taking postcard perfect shots:
1. Avoid Taking Generic Still Shots
Professional photos of the Taj Mahal can easily be found on Google or on postcards. The Taj Mahal will always be the constant. You want to capture the variables – the people, fleeting moments, even the scaffolding. Find interesting angles or find interesting people to add to your shot. This is not hard to do with all the brightly coloured sarees around.
2. Take Photos From a Distance
With India’s crown jewel as your backdrop, you actually don’t need to take your photos standing on its plinth. The Charbagh garden is perfect for taking photos and the trees can be used to frame your shots.
3. Take Photos From an Even Greater Distance
You don’t even need to enter the Taj Mahal complex to take a picture of the Taj Mahal. The Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden) across the Yamuna River has a clear south view of the Taj. If you are staying at the super luxurious Oberoi Hotel or have dinner reservations there, you can see the Taj from the Lounge.
4. Work Quickly at Sunset
Take advantage of the daylight if you’re visiting for the sunset viewing since the sun sets very quickly. I had to duck out of the tour early to take photos before sunset.
5. It’s all in the Details
Apart from the iconic mausoleum, don’t forget to photograph the intricate details of the coloured marble inlay of the Taj, the gardens, the reflecting Lotus Pool (when it’s filled), and the Yamuna River. Look closely at the garden and you’ll see inlaid calligraphy of Koranic passages, carved floral relief work, and a decorative floral motif used throughout the structure.
6. Visit at Optimal times
There are fewer people at sunrise than at sunset and on weekdays as opposed to weekends. The best months to visit are from October to December and February to March for moderate temperature. Just remember: Taj Mahal is closed to the general public on Fridays. On the flip side, if you visit Moonlight Garden on a Friday, you’ll capture images of the Taj without any tourists in them!
7. Get Creative With Cropping
Stand against a roped off area for a photo or against the gorgeous marble wall of the mausoleum. That guarantees that no one will be directly behind you in your background. Angle your camera in creative ways to crop out stuff you don’t want. Since the Taj is symmetrical on all sides, you’ll end up with great pics from all angles.
8. Explore Other Buildings on Site
Venture off and explore the buildings flanking the Taj. These buildings include the Royal Gate, Masjid (mosque), and Mehmankhana (guesthouse). There are far fewer tourists here since everyone is preoccupied with climbing up the mausoleum itself.
9. Leave the Tripod & Selfie Stick at Home
The Taj Mahal has a long list of prohibited items. Surprising items on the list include books, toffee candies and toys. But certain photography items are prohibited too like large camera bags, tripods, video cameras, and extra battery packs. Our guide even advised leaving selfie sticks behind as long metal items are mostly not permitted on the premises. Pack your gear wisely and only bring what you need.
10. If All Else Fails, Pay For A Clear Background
There are locals on site who, for a small fee, will help you clear bystanders so you have a clear background for pics. For another small fee, you could hire a local with a dSLR to take your photos. They’re not professionals, but they will clear off Diana’s bench and its entire platform just to take your picture. They’ll print off the photos for you to pick up at the end of your visit.
Finally, don’t forget to put your camera away to appreciate your moment at the Taj Mahal.
Have you visited the Taj Mahal? What are some photography tips you have? Let me know in the comments below or by sharing it using the social media links!
Safe Travels!
xx Deb
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